Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
In early 2024 the parking aids failed. Then the heater air conditioning buttons. Now the voice commands, Navigation and back up camera have failed. No accidents resulted , but this ia a large car and when shifting from reverse to drive screen remains blank.
I took my 2015 Lincoln MKS to the Ford dealership to replace a water pump. After they inspected my vehicle, they determined that it was indeed a bad water pump. They quoted that it would take 15 hours for the repair and cost $2,500. I had no other choice but to have my car repaired and paid $2,547. 5 days later my son was driving the car stopped and filled the car with gas. He drove the car 1000 ft and noticed white smoke coming from the engine. He parked the car and got out and the car ignited with the engine turned off. The fire destroyed the entire car. The fire department had to put the fire out. The fire started in the engine.
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and attempting to honk the horn, there was no sound coming from the horn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the steering column control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were discontinued. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance because the parts were no longer available. The failure mileage was 79,000.
The FCIM failed in the 98 degree heat. No warnings or indication that it failed other than the fans just started blowing full blast and full heat on a hot summer day. This alone distracted me and pulled my attention from the road as I started to feel sick with how hot it was getting and was frantically trying to turn the temperature down on the screen to no avail, because when the FCIM goes out you lose all control of the heat or ac and literally cannot shut off the heat. I then pulled over after almost getting in an accident trying to shut off the heat and went to turn on my hazard lights. Well with the FCIM going out my hazards wouldn't work either. When the FCIM isn't going out it constantly beeps and turns my temperature as far down as it will go, even when it is -20 in minnesota. Again a hazard as it can frost up my windshield in seconds making it so I can't see. …
The contact 2013 Lincoln MKS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the heating system activated independently and was blowing hot air on a 90-degree summer day. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring and persisted while driving. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to the Front Control Interface Module (FCIM). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The climate control system malfunctions by raising the temperature for the heater without any input. When turned off, it turns on by itself and resumes raising the temperature until it maxes out. This occurs when first started and also while driving, causing a severe distraction as the beeping is distracting and the temperature will not stop rising even when the My Temperature buttons are pressed to decrease the temperature. Other MKS owners have complained online. The car is available for inspection upon request. Sustained distraction while trying to find the temperature adjustment buttons and the off button lasts too long, creating a serious driving danger and large potential for an accident, even a head on accident. I have only experienced this when using the heater. It has not happened to me in the summer yet. I have not taken it to a dealer, yet. …
I've owned my 2012 Lincoln MKS for 3 years. A warning recently appeared saying "Power Steering Assist Fault," and now the steering is very hard to turn, especially at low speeds. I've already paid around $1,800 in the past to fix this issue once, but now I'm experiencing the same or similar problems again. I haven't had it officially diagnosed this time because both Ford and the dealer told me it wouldn't be covered, since the recall (15S18) is now expired. This is a serious safety issue. The car is difficult to control and unsafe to drive. I'm a full-time worker and a father of two toddlers, and I'm still making payments on this car that I now can't safely use - or only for short trips while constantly worrying about steering failure. I just found out about this old recall, and the dealership never told me anything about it when I bought the car used. …
I stopped the car in my garage and pushed the keyless ignition button, but did not put the car in park. I exited the car and it slowly coasted down the driveway and into a deep gully.. The damage to the car from the accident and the wreckers getting it out of the gully was $14,400. I have since learned most well-engineered cars, excluding Ford/Lincoln, lock the breaks or put the car into park if the keyless ignition button is pushed before the car is put into park. (examples of well engineered cars include BMW and Toyota prius with respect to this issue.) this is a major engineering safety issue. A driver can park a Ford product on a hill, push the ignition button to turn off the engine, but not put the car in park, and exit the car and the car will coast down the hill hitting anything or anybody in its path. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln MKS years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (25), 2014 (7) and 2010 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Lincoln MKS electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Lincoln MKS model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Lincoln MKS electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the alternator/generator/regulator (1 mentions), followed by the horn (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.